Customers are advised to be "extra careful" of internet fraudsters who could rip them off.
Gardaí are warning both consumers and retailers about the dangers of online shopping fraud ahead of the busiest months of the year for retail.
In a statement, An Garda Síochána announced it will be supporting Europol in a media campaign aimed at promoting safe online shopping by customers and providing fraud prevention advice to online retailers and eCommerce businesses.
"More and more businesses are using the internet as the primary channel to sell goods and services," Gardaí said.
"Whilst convenient for both the consumer and retailer it also presents opportunities for fraudsters who can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off consumers or target retailers who do not have the necessary defences in place to protect themselves."
In the lead-up to Christmas and the Black Friday sales promotion period, Gardaí and Europol are advising consumers and online retailers to adhere to online shopping fraud prevention tips.
For the online shopper, these include:
- Understanding the risks involved: Do some research, use brands and shops that are familiar to you
- Checking to ensure the website is genuine: Type the address yourself and check the spelling
- Checking the seller’s reviews and ratings
- Being careful how you pay: Always use the website's recommended payment site. If none, use credit cards when purchasing as most cards have strong customer protection policy
- Saving all documents related to online purchases
- When you don't make a purchase, not leaving identity or card details behind
- Never sending card details by email, text or other messaging methods
- Not sending money to someone you don’t know: Check first.
Meanwhile, for the online retailer or eCommerce merchant, the tips are:
- Know your product: Some products are risker than others i.e. easily resaleable small items may present a higher fraud risk
- Know your customer: If you accept card payments for high-value goods, you would really want to know who you are selling to, wouldn’t you?
- Establish a safe means of payment: Your card processor can advise when choosing a safe means
- Use a reliable delivery service: One that you can be assured will offer professional handling of your merchandise.
"I certainly welcome this Europol initiative and would urge consumers and businesses to be extra careful when conducting online transactions and pay heed to the valuable advice offered on the Europol website to help avoid the many pitfalls involved," Detective Chief Superintendent Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said.
For further advice and details, visit Europol's website
here.
